Filip Tomic
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After just 4 games on Thursday, the NBA returns with a 7-game night and a ESPN doubleheader. Friday also marks the start of the In-Season Tournament, which adds another incentive for teams to win these games. I’m focusing on the first part of the ESPN doubleheader with the Knicks taking on the Bucks. Tip-off is at 7:30 pm ET, and I’ve prepared a Same Game Parlay which is available below.
You can read our NBA predictions for Friday’s 7-game slate, but now let’s dive into my bet!
Julius Randle under 2.5 made threes (-205)
Jalen Brunson over 23.5 points (-111)
Damian Lillard to record 30+ points (+220)
Same Game Parlay odds: +840
Julius Randle under 2.5 made threes (-205)
To start off our parlay I have Julius Randle scoring under 3 threes in tonight’s game. The Knicks have really struggled from downtown to start the season, ranking in the bottom 10 in 3-point efficiency and connecting on just 33.9% of attempts and just 24.8% in their last 3 games. Randle’s struggles from distance have been well noted – in his first 5 games of the season he has connected on just 25.8% shots on 6.2 attempts per game.
In 2 of his last 3 games he went 0-for-11 against Cleveland and New Orleans, which is worrisome for Knicks fans. It doesn’t get any prettier in games against the Bucks, where he has made just 0.6% threes per game in the last 5 meetings on 5.6 attempts per game. That equals to just 10.7%, and the last time he played Giannis and co. he went just 1-for-12 from distance. I would be shocked if Randle hit 3 threes.
Check out my New York Knicks vs Milwaukee Bucks predictions
Jalen Brunson over 23.5 points (-111)
Jalen Brunson balled out the last time he faced the Bucks, going for 44 points on a staggering 15-for-30 from the field. In order for the Knicks to get something out of tonight’s game, he might be forced to put up 20+ shots in this one. R.J. Barrett is questionable with a knee injury, and he averages 16 shots per game. Brunson should be the main beneficiary if he sits this one out.
It hasn’t been the best of starts to the season for the 27-year old, but he has still cleared this line twice in his last 4 games. He matches up really well against Damian Lillard, who isn’t an elite defender, so I expect him to get to his spots here and carry New York offensively.
Damian Lillard to record 30+ points (+220)
Damian Lillard has failed to clear this line only once in his last 5 games against the Knicks . Granted, that was from the time when he was with the Blazers, but after a somewhat sub-par start to his Bucks career, he needs a big game to boost his confidence. A nationally televised game is the perfect opportunity, and even at just 40% efficiency from the field he is putting up 21.3 points per game.
In 3 home games he’s at 23 per game, and as time goes on and he gets more acclimated to his new surroundings, Dame’s numbers should continue to go up. Barrett not playing also helps him as that’s one less tall defender he has to worry about. I think he and Brunson will go at each other all night long, so don’t be surprised if Dame goes over 30.
Check out my +740 odds Mavericks vs Nuggets SGP
